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Comments
Long time listener, first time caller...
I have a 2001 (build-date, Oct. 2000), with everything. Today, for the first time, when I shifted into Autostick, the "Low Gas" light came on the dash, the fuel gauge dropped to "Empty", although I knew I had 3/4 tankfull. Of course, I panicked, thinking I had pin-holed the tank or ripped a gas-line or something, popped it back into Automatic, and voila, gas light went off, gauge went back to "3/4". Once my heart started beating again, I tried to reproduce this, to no avail.
I'm 99.9% sure that the 5* will not be able to reproduce this, so I'll just mention it during the next service stop.
My question is, since I've been following this list for ages and don't remember such a thing: Has anyone either heard of this or experienced it? Maybe a hiccup in the Body Control Module? Gremlins?
Any input would help my well-being with an other-wise relatively flawless (a couple rattles, one remote-mirror problem), beautiful car.
Thanks,
Terry
As long as she doesn't start up by herself or flash her lights at you, you're pretty safe. ;-))
fastdriver
But I think I already know. They are indeed Michelin Pilot Alpin tires. Turns out that they are made in the 245/45/18 V rating (149mph) size in Europe, but not available in the U.S.. I found them on Michelin's UK website. So maybe DC got a hold of set to put on the car for winter testing?
Hopefully they will have a reasonable answer for you. I'd hate to find out that they're "rigged" too like Motor Trend Car of the Year.
Maybe they tested an M destined for Europe? Did the car have side marker lights or tow hooks in the front?
fastdriver
For the mountain bikers here, here's some pictures: http://www.ritchiefamily.com/biking.htm
Mike
fastdriver: If those tires were the Pilot Alpins the car would actually be at a disadvantage because the Alpins are 100% snow and ice tires. They wouldn't be as capable as the Pilot Sports on dry pavement. That may explain Motorweek's observation that the car was a bit slow on turn in and understeered. Mine is anything but slow on turn in. I twitch the wheel and the car obeys. I've noticed some understeer but not much. The car tracks a decreasing radius curve without excessive steering inputs.
On another note. All this talk about GPS systems put a bug up my butt and I went out and purchased a Pharos StreetNav system to work with my Compaq iPAQ pocket PC. I'll be working with it the next few days or so.
Couple of neat things so far, though, is the voice that tells you when a turn is coming up and how it can re-route your directions automatically if you go off course.
The car would struggle to do $9,500 at the auction. In reality, its' a car that is buyable around the $8,500-9K mark. It doesnt have 17"s or a roof.. that hurts it too. But those ultra-high miles just slaughter the hell out of the car's value. Heck, I just sold the following at auction for one of the Jag dealers I do business with:
1998 XJ8. Topaz (light gold.. best color), Immaculate condition. $12,750. Car had well over 100K miles on it.
The day afterwards, I paid $26,500 for its' twin with 28K miles and paid less than I was willing to go on it.
It is very important to be mindful of Blue Book Values.... their retail prices are usually WELL out of Whack. I.E. If you pay KBB retail, you're almost certainly overpaying. If you sell a car and get it, take the family out to Ruth's Chris. You can swing it
If you have any price questions...I'm oneof the guys in Real World Trade In Values in Smart Shopper. I'd be glad to help! Not to be a smartarse.. but I saw KBB retail mentioned... its a scary #!!
Bill
Lurking BC I am shoppin for a 300M for an employee....
ER
http://www.gps4fun.com
This website has all types of GPS products including ones specifically designed for cars, boats, laptops, PDA's etc.
Another excellent site is:
http://www.mobileplanet.com
This website is specifially for PDA's which I still believe is the most practical, functional, and cheapest way to get into GPS and still make use of your PDA for email, contacts, work files etc.
Like I mentioned in an earlier post I have a Compaq IPAQ 3850 and so far I love it! Can wait to try out a GPS and Street map product on it. If you do a lot of travelling on business this is the way to go.
Thanks for the two wonderful "Blue Belle" Roman Numeral clockface's, I have already polled the family on which one they like better...so far a split decision! Ah..but, Dad's vote is the only one that counts
Silver, with fake knockoff wire wheels, FULL whitewall tires, a really bad dark tint job on the windows, one of those odd little delta TV antennas on the trunk and the topper: a large decal of the Mexican flag in/on the rear window.
The mind fairly boggles.
Also, you asked about replacment home page links a long time ago but nothing appears to have changed for my listing. Lose it, or just too busy? I just want to make sure you got it so when you have the time you can update it. http://www.ritchiefamily.com/300m.htm
Mike
Mike
On tires, dump the Badyears if you have a 99M and go with some Yokoham AVID T4s in stock size or Goodrich Comp TAs or Scorchers in 245/50-17s [non php cars] or jump to Michelin Pilots if you have the bucks. All good choices based on size and the size of your wallet. Also consider getting EQUAL put into your new tires, [see them on the net], as it is cheap and helps the ride.
Sorry to be so winded, but I missed all you guys. Dream Cruise--Got my reservation for Brampton but the line at Dearborn was out of service. Will try to get that reservation tomorrow. Later.
sdmike2-Careful out there in the wilderness. Did you run out of water? Sounds like you learned a lesson about planning. I've also had my share of biking trauma. My wife and I are planning a guided tour in France or Italy next June. It will definitely not be roughing it.
Keep the rubber side down,
Silver
Thanks again to sdmike, beach15 etc...your posts could cost me some coin though...After seeing the mod shots of mike's red M I am conviced that dual exhaust, spoiler, bra, and basslink are a basic necessity. To start.
The Zaino is first on the list though...Yesterday was a sunny day and there are definitely some swirl marks.
Any suggestions on what to order to get started with?
Also, whom should I order touch up paint from? There are some areas on the edge of the driver's side door that could use a touch...
Thanks for the feedback on the price too...My best gauge on this was knowing the Galves value (starts at 14500, without roof, PHP and higher miles) as well as what the Dealer paid DC to buy this lease turn in...
Yes, $10,500 was cheap.. But I feel that, if it was your car, I'd say to shoot to get $11K. Those miles just slaughter the living snot out of the car.
Take a 40K miler in Silver with Roof, Chromes, 17"s..etc..
That car could pull $15K across the block, making $17K realistic retail.
Bill
At some point I found a review that compares 4 different GPS systems for PPC. http://www.semperaptus.com/reviews/r080101.shtml
In a nutshell, Teletype GPS is bad, Pharos is a little better, but is still bad.
Pocket CoPilot and Destinator were the two to choose from.
One of my buddies tried Pharos Ostia and returned it the next day, after comparing it to my Destinator.
I had a chance to try Trav Route's Pocket CoPilot, I did not like it. I had the NavMan edition (the sleeve for iPaq). What I did not like about it: poor hardware quality - the antenna was broken upon opening the box. Idiotic user interface (long story, but take my word for it). Lack of verbal warning as you approach turns - meaning - you get just one prompt (Lust ahead, turn right). I wanted multiple prompts like Destinator - 2 miles, 500 y. 200y, turn now.
I ended up getting Destinator (www.destinator1.com). Here are the pictures of it in my car: http://66.12.86.58:8080/photos/2002/february/misc
Destinator is very close when compared to Hertz NeverLost. It rules. Cool interface, great signal.
About Voice recognition - it is only supported on Laptop version of Trav Route's Co-Pilot. No voice recognition for PPC version. It will still tell you where you are.
Personally, I would not want to have my GPS on a laptop. You have to wait for it to boot, it is taking up space, etc. Which is prohibitive if you use GPS for short trips.
One note about the review (Aug 2001) link above - Destinator has since released a more recent version of their software which providers POI (Points of Interest) database for stuff like stores, museums, gas stations etc.
One more thing- you can use the GPS antenna that comes with Pharos to interface Microsoft Pocket Streets GPS add-on. But you will not like the results - current refresh times are 15 secs, no directions, just a dot on the map at your current location.
To summarize, choose between Destinator (www.destinator1.com) or CoPilot www.travroute.com), depending on the features you like best. The rest of them are not worth the $$ and effort trying to operate them. Check out online demos. Use the 30 day trial period. I still think Destinator is superior, IMHO.
Old (outdated) Destinator review: http://reviews.pocketnow.com/content.cgi?db=reviews&id=172
Last time I checked (jan 2002), there were no Canadian maps for the rest of the PPC-based GPS - Pharos, CoPilot, or TeleType.
CoPilot was planning to include Canada later.
Touchup paint should be available at the Chrysler dealers parts dept.
Zaino has a complete spectrum of products. If you want to do what I did, here it is:
1. Z-18 Claybar the entire car to remove all embedded and surface material.
2. Follow Zaino instructions for best results on prep and polish. Z-5 Swirl reduction product has received good reviews here. Follow up with Z-1 and Z-2, or use the new Zaino "one step" method. Again, follow the instructions. Use only a very thin application.
3. After each wash with Z-7, apply Z-6 Gloss Enhancer. This gives spectacular results.
Interior:
1. Z-9 Leather Cleaner, then Z-10 Leather Conditioner. Works on the vinyl surfaces, too.
Tires: Z-16 Tire Gloss is the best product I have tried. I apply a second coat after the first dries. Lasts about six weeks.
I put on about 10 coats of Z-2 over a 9 month period. There is a point of diminishing returns, say about the 4th coat. I use some brand x wax under the trunk lid and on door sills where water tends to puddle. With summer fast approaching, I will probably re-do everything.
I use an OXO car wash brush and plan to get a California water wand to help dry the car. The Z-7 wash lotion has wax in it to help keep up the shine. Use only 100% white cotton American-made bath towels to avoid scratching the car when drying. If your car is a dark color, then you will definitely want to work on any swirl marks. I see expensive cars that have been worked on with electric buffers and the results are disastrous. Use only the quality toweling, turning often, and you will have a show car shine.
Have fun,
Silver
Thanks,
What color is your car? I still have the touch-up for the 99 Candy Apple Red if you can use it. You are more than welcome to it or anyone else who could use it. I have no need for it. ;-)
fastdriver
This seems to be a COMMON problem on ALL car makes with rubber bumpers. Seems that the paint does not react as well with the plastic bumpers as it does with the metal. Don't think there's much you can do about it.
fastdriver
Colt.
PS I had a 99 Candy Apple Red and did not have this problem. Bumpers and car matched just fine. Then again, I used ZAINO! Click on my name above and you can see some pics of that 99.
fastdriver
I thought about complaining to the dealer, but I figured the cure would probably be worse than the disease.
Still bugs me though, as I have seen other cars on the road which seem to do a better job of matching things up.
I am coming to the end of the lease and have decided to buy the car. So I am getting down right nit-picky as the end of the warranty approaches.
Thanks again,
(This was part of my door prize at the San Diego meet in March -- thanks SDMike).
Let us know how it turns out.
Mike
How do you like the software? I read a lot of negative reviews about it on PPC boards. After seeing what the UI looks like, I decided it was not for me. Did they release a new version recently?
Step 2 - basslink. A number of you installed it, how did that help with the buzzing issue? someone posted a TSB for it on 300M Club site board. I think I still need to address the distortion issue first.
Question #2 - how easy was it to install yourself? as far as attaching it to the trunk base and wiring? are there any wiring diagrams available?
thanks for any info
Install Instructions: (Courtesy of Racefan)
The stock amp on the upgraded stereo is located inside the trunk on the right hand side behind the carpet, there is one tab holding the carpet.
using speaker level inputs tap into the wires coming out of the amp:
white/black = - left rear
white/red = + left rear
tan/black = - right rear
tan/red = + right rear
dark green/red = turn on lead
after you hook up the speaker level inputs, connect the ground to a spot under the trunk carpet, and run a power wire to the battery.
You do NOT have to go through the firewall for the power lead. Connect a heavey guage red power wire from the Positive "jumper" cable junction, and run it along the pass. fender inside edge and out by the pass. door hinge area (there is some gray foam piece you have to remove, then replace.) Then just push the wire through the moon-roof drain grommet to the inside pass. leg well area, remove the little trim peice, then snake it to the back under the rocker trim.
Tom
99LHS